(CNN) -- Head N.V. is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment. It is a technology-driven company, with the motto "Superior performance through superior technology."

The company was founded in 1950, by Howard Head, the inventor of the first metal ski. The Tyrolia bindings and Mares diving brands were added in the 1970s and, more recently, the Penn balls and Dacor diving brands were acquired during the 1990s.

Head N.V. has been under its present management since 1996 and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Vienna Stock Exchange in September 2000.

The company's current operations are organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving and Licensing. Within these divisions they have created or acquired some of the most recognizable brands in the sporting goods market including Head, Penn, Tyrolia and Mares/Dacor.

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They hold leading positions in all of their product markets, and their products are endorsed by some of the world's top athletes, including Andre Agassi, Bode Miller, Amelie Mauresmo, Andrew Murray, Marat Safin and Swetlana Kusnezowa.

Head products are sold through over 29,000 accounts including pro shops, specialty sporting goods stores and mass merchants in over 85 countries around the world.E-mail to a friend